The University of Worcester's largest-ever nursing cohort is set to graduate this month.

Over 250 newly qualified nurses, over a hundred more than the count from five years ago, will don a mortarboard this September.

Many of them have already taken up positions in the National Health Service (NHS) in Herefordshire and Worcestershire ahead of their official graduation, with employment letters in hand from wards in the area.

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Adult nursing degree graduate, Ropafadzo Mutemi, an international student, said: "I’ll be starting my work soon at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch as a staff nurse in accident and emergency.

"I wanted to work in A&E because I grew so much when I went there on placement in my second year, and the placement helped me participate more in the skills sessions at university when I came back to classes."

Another adult nursing graduate, Ann Jewel Joby, who will be going to work at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the trauma and orthopaedic department, said: “I had a placement in the department, and I found the area to be really interesting.

"I’ve really improved my communication skills since starting at the University and I felt like I developed each year through doing my placements, so now I can communicate with patients much more confidently.”

Anna Chiketa, who will also start work at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, said: "I got a massive amount of support when I went there as a student from every staff member, from the doctors to the porters, the nurses, the Matron, I had so many questions for everyone."

Professor Sally Moyle, pro vice chancellor for health and science at the university, said: "Congratulations to our nursing graduates.

"They’ve worked hard to gain their professional qualifications, and we’re delighted to see so many choose careers in the NHS locally."

She added: "From their academic work to the work placements they’ve undertaken, our graduate nurses have proven that they have what it takes to make a difference to patients and their families across the health and care system."

Graduates will receive their degree certificates at Worcester Cathedral next week.